God s Mission: Joy of the Gospel Leadership Forum 22 January 2015 1
Program TIME SESSION AND ACTIVITIES 9.00 Opening Session Welcome Prayer: Feed my sheep Introduction, overview and context of the day Session 1: In conversation - Francis and the Church 9.35 Multi-media presentation The election and ministry of Pope Francis inspired by passages from The Joy of the Gospel Reflections by Geraldine Doogue Reflections on the impact within the Church of the election and pontificate of Pope Francis and The Joy of the Gospel Geraldine Doogue in conversation with the Panel Geraldine continues exploring the above in dialogue with panellists. Martin Scroope - Director, Canisius College, Pymble Philomena Billington - Educational Consultant Fr David Ranson - Chair, Mission Committee, Diocesan Schools Board 10.50 Morning Tea Session 2: Leaders of Mission with the joy of the Gospel and the smell of their sheep 11.20 Multi-media presentation Theme: Leaders and teachers with the joy of the Gospel and the smell of their sheep 11.30 11.55 12.05 Table Conversations Part A Fr David Ranson Theme: A new generation of leaders for Catholic schools Table Conversations Part B 2
Session 3: Continuing our conversation How is God s mission unfolding in Broken Bay schools and leading us into a re-imagined future? 12.30 Reflections by Geraldine Doogue in conversation with the school leadership teams as she moves around the hall 1.00 Lunch The joy of the Gospel and smell of the sheep for school leaders Perceptions of your role as a leader of mission in the church. Session 4: Feed my sheep! But who will feed the shepherd? 1.40 Review and Introduction Fr David Ranson Lectio divina and the Examen Virginia Ryan and Martin Scroope Session 5 What are you waiting for? 2.35 Where to from here at a system and school level? Conclusion to the Day 3.10 Looking back over the day Philomena Billington Prayer and commissioning Fr John Frauenfelder 3.25 Concluding remarks, thanks and well wishes Finish 3
Speakers and Panellists 4
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Part A: Table Conversation Discussion starter: Multi-media presentation: Leaders and teachers with the joy of the Gospel and the smell of their sheep This video depicts students, teachers and leaders in their schools reflecting on the joy of learning, teaching and leading. It also has school leaders reflecting on what it means to take on the smell of their sheep. Table conversation: Conversation in school groups in response to video. Questions: 1. Can you recall and share an experience of deep joy in your ministry of leadership or teaching? 2. Can you recall an experience where you have had to walk with staff, students or families struggling and even touched by suffering? 6
Part B: Table Conversation Discussion starter: Fr David Ranson outlines the key ideas in his article Forming a New Generation of School Leaders Australasian Catholic Record 83 (2006), 415-421. (Available on godsmissionjoyofthegosepl.weebly.com) Key points: As we go forward as a church the importance of the role of the Catholic school will become increasingly evident o Historically: A feature of our church in Australia is that nearly every parish has a primary school. School and church coexist as a primary manifestation of church; it is part of the bedrock of the church s life and mission. o The present: A reality today is that, for many Catholic families, the school is the primary reference point and means of religious affiliation; in effect the priest and principal are both viewed as church leaders. o The future: As an increasing number of parishes find themselves pastored by a non-resident priest, the school principal s day to day presence will become even more significant. They will be viewed not only as exercising an administrative or educational leadership but also a form of religious leadership; they will be expected to be the face and voice of the church. The challenges of our times give rise to new possibilities. This situation calls for a threefold awareness required by school leaders: o A strong sense of personal discipleship. Their school role is a vocation which draws on the wellsprings of their baptismal life. o Ecclesial imagination. The leadership they are exercising is out of the church, on behalf of the church, for the church. o Professional. They will be required to develop practical, innovative, strategic ways as bearers of the mission. None of this will happen overnight; we are talking long term possibilities. Let the conversation begin! o How might this particular leadership be shaped? o What does this means for me: personally? Professionally? o What kinds of systemic solutions are required? How do we organise ourselves so that schools have the capacity and freedom to exercise their leadership? 7
Table Conversation: Conversation in school groups in response to David Ranson s presentation. Questions: 1. What do you think of Fr David s analysis of the place and role of the Catholic school in the Church and its mission past, now and into the future? 2. What do you think will be required of Catholic school leaders into the future? 3. What does this mean for you personally and professionally? 8
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my lambs. A second time Jesus said to him, Simon, son of John, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Tend my sheep. Jesus said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter felt hurt because Jesus said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he said to him, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. After this Jesus said to him, Follow me. 9
The Awareness Examen Spiritual Direction The Awareness Examen sifts my day with gratitude and seeks to discern the traces of God at work in my life. It guides me with consolations, understanding and inner peace. The best time to pray the Examen is midday or day s end. I can be confident that over time this prayer will root my life in God's life. It is made in five steps: 1. I become aware that I live in the stream of God's love - where all is gift. I review my day recalling it's gifts, large and small, and allow gratitude to well up in me. 2. I make a prayer to the Spirit for her discerning light in this examen. 3. I carefully search out how God is working in my life, moving hour by hour, through my day. After some weeks I also look for any pattern of events or relationships that console me or give me inner peace. Conversely, is there a pattern that desolates or deadens me? I begin to see how God works best through me. How may I work best with God? 4. I respond to what I experienced in the previous point. I might give thanks or express sorrow. I might feel wonder, sadness or sheer delight with my Lord. We speak about this. 5. I consider the loving way forward tomorrow. I may desire growth or transformation. I may resolve to develop some virtue or grace or gift. I might seek to renew. So I act in response to my new awareness. I will do my best and surrender the outcome to God. The prayer texts are words of Jesus that speak to each step. I give thanks I give thanks for the graces, benefits and good things of my day. I ask for help - I ask the Holy Spirit for help to discern my day with openness. I review - I review my day, hour by hour, to see how God is working in my life. I respond - I respond to what I felt or learned in my review just made. I resolve - I resolve with hope and the grace of God to amend my life tomorrow. Our Father. 10
I give thanks Jesus asked his disciples, How many loaves have you? They said, Seven, and a few small fish. Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 122 I ask for help The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, remind you of all that I have said to you. (John 14:6) I review my day My Father is still working, and I also am working. Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes. (Jn 5:17, 21) I respond The tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner! I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted. (Lk 18:13-14) I resolve You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. (Jn15:16) Michael Hansen sj The First Spiritual Exercises Awareness Examen Week 4 Inner Peace in Divine Love page 76 11
The Awareness Examen Thanksgiving I trace my experiences as I moved through my day I am grateful for Insight I seek to be open to Spirit beyond myself Pondering In particular I am aware of these feelings arise Noticing This needs attention this needs healing Tomorrow My desires for others are for myself are I will.. Love ought to manifest itself more by deeds than by words St Ignatius Loyola Seeking and finding the greater good and God in all things Martin Scroope 12
: Commissioning of Leaders Fr John: We are all baptised by the one Spirit into one Body, and given gifts for a variety of ministries for the well-being of those we are called to serve. We come now to commission you in the Name of God for your ministry of leadership and service and teaching in the Diocese of Broken Bay Peter Hamill: You have been called to ministry in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Will you, as long as you are engaged in this work, perform it with diligence? Leaders: I will. Peter Hamill: Will you faithfully and reverently execute the duties of your ministry to the honour of God, and the benefit of the children and youth you teach and those with whom you work? Leaders: I will. Fr John: Let us pray. God of all wisdom and knowledge, give your blessing and guidance to all who lead and teach and work in our Diocese, that by word and example they may lead those whom they teach and serve to the knowledge of and love for the Joy of the Gospel, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Leaders: Amen. Peter Hamill: I commission you as leaders, teachers and co-workers in the Diocese of Broken Bay for God s Mission: The Joy of the Gospel. 13
A Prayer of Blessing What is a blessing but a rain of grace falling generously upon those who are in need; And who among us is without need? May this year provide a pathway strewn with blessings. so your work be your love made visible. May you breathe upon the wounds of those with whom you live and work. May your breath be the breath of God. May your own wounds feel the breath of God. May you honour the flame of love that burns inside you. May your voice be a voice of encouragement. May your life be an answer to someone s prayer. May you own a grateful heart. May you have enough joy to give you hope, enough pain to make you wise. May there be no room in your heart for hatred. May you be free from violent thoughts. When you look into the window of your soul may you see the face of God. May the lamp of your life shine kindly upon all who cross your path. May you be a good memory in someone s life today. 14
All: May Mary, Star of the new evangelisation Help us bear radiant witness to communion, service, ardent and generous faith, justice and love for the poor, that the joy of the Gospel May reach to the ends of the earth, illuminating even the fringes of the world. Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God s little ones, Pray for us. Amen. Alleluia! 15
God s Mission Joy of the Gospel Website This Website has, and will continue to be a key resource repository in support of leaders bringing the lens of God s Mission: The Joy of the Gospel. The Web address is http://godsmissionjoyofthegospel.weebly.com/ The Website provides Background information on key questions Multi-media and textual resources on Pope Francis ministry and The Joy of the Gospel A range of resources for reflection, prayer and discussion. Information and resources from Diocesan schools engaging with God s Mission: Joy of the Gospel System initiatives and resources ACBC/ Broken Bay Institute e-conferences including Pope Francis: Modelling the Ministry of St Peter A screen shot of one of the many pages listing resources 16
Leading Mission Module Web address: http://leadingmission.weebly.com/ Module One Module One, Leading Mission - God's Mission: The Joy of the Gospel, consists of four Topics, each of approximately one hour's duration. 1. Pope Francis 'Leading Mission' 2. Evangeli Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel 3. Leading for Mission 4. God's Mission: The Joy of the Gospel - Broken Bay Some options You are very welcome to browse the Module or use any of its resources in staff meetings or professional learning and formation. If you are seeking recognition for your engagement with this Module, you will need to register by sending an email to Sue Labutis simply stating your name, school, when and how you would like to commence it - online or in-school. Online Sue Labutis will send you a PHRIS link to register, create a Blog page for you and notify you by email that you can commence. The blog provides a means of sharing your learning and engagement with other Catholic school leaders. When you have completed the Module, simply email Sue Labutis who will arrange for your completion of the Module to be noted in 'My Learning' on PHRIS. Local Study Group You may wish to complete the Module with one or more other colleagues at school or from other schools. 17
After the forum Review the Forum 1. I left the Forum feeling... 2. I left the Forum thinking... 3. I left the Forum with a better understanding and appreciation of... 4. I left the day committed to... Share your experience of the Forum with other staff Edit and use the prayer which opened the Leadership Forum at the first meeting of staff in 2015 Put God's Mission: The Joy of the Gospel on the agenda of the first staff meeting Choose a 'lens' to renew some aspect of school life God's Mission: Joy of the Gospel offers a number of 'lenses' through which to review and renew school life. Review all your School Improvement Goals in light of God's Mission: Joy of the Gospel Continue to study, discuss and break open the implications of Evangelii Gaudium Begin each leadership team meeting with a reflection and discussion on one small section of Evangelii Gaudium led by one of the Team Over a school Term focus on one key image from Evangelii Gaudium, using the reflection and prayer leaflets Reflect on and pray the Scriptures together using Lectio divina Pray the Examen 18
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